Queen's Baton Relay

The Queen’s Baton Relay’s 180,000 km journey around the Commonwealth has culminated in a magnificent finale at the Opening Ceremony. After journeying down the Yarra River in the hands of the 16 Australian Football League captains, the baton was handed to football legend Ron Barassi, then Olympic great Herb Elliott before entering the joyous stadium.

The baton travelled around the stadium in the hands of athletic champions Catherine Freeman, Ron Clarke and Marjorie Jackson-Nelson. The baton was presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II by the Governor of Victoria, and former Olympian, John Landy. An image to live on in the memories of us all for years to come.

The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay is complete. The world’s longest, most inclusive relay travelled more than 180,000 kilometres and visited all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in one year and a day. The map above indicates the Queen's Baton Relay route around the world and within Australia.